PlayStation Plus goes live

From today PS3 owners are able to sign up to PlayStation Plus, Sony's new 39.99-a-year service.

To access it users must first log into PSN via their console and update the recently released 3.4 firmware. As well as PSN Plus support, the update also offers new photo sharing options, video editing and uploading, additional power-saving features and star ratings for PlayStation Store content.

In addition, Sony has also released the new 6.3 firmware for PSP that allows PSN Plus access across both platforms.

The premium service offers a whole host of goodies for members including free themes and avatars, remote Automatic Downloads and a select number of free games a month that will remain free to play as long as users remain subscribed.

There are also free PS3 games – those subscribing before August 3rd get to download a free copy of LittleBigPlanet that is theirs to keep even if they fail to renew their subscription.

As well as the annual option, 90-day membership is also available for 11.99.